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13-Day Borneo Overland Tour: Sarawak, Sabah, & Brunei
Visit Sarawak, Sabah, & Brunei
Beaches, Caves, Mountains, & Cities
Suitable for Families & All Ages
This is a complete tour of Borneo. Visit the two out of the three countries that make up the island and discover the cultures that make them all unique. Delve into nature with trips to breathtaking national parks and spot Borneo’s famous orangutans and proboscis monkeys on wildlife tours. Meet the locals, visit their farms, stay in homestays, and sample the traditional cuisine. Pass through the Sultanate of Brunei, one of the richest countries in the world, before ending this spectacular trip on a beach island in Sabah. If you’re looking to learn all you can about Borneo in 2 weeks, this is the tour for you!
Tour Highlights
Embark on wildlife tours in search of orangutans and proboscis monkeys in Kuching’s national parks.
Stay in an Iban longhouse in Batang Ai on a 3-day excursion.
Visit the famous archaeological cave at Niah Cave National Park, Miri.
See the palace of the richest sultan in the world, as we venture into Brunei on a day tour.
Travel to the island of Pulau Tiga and enjoy a firefly cruise at Klias River in Sabah.
Take a day trip from Kotal Kinabalu to the Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs.
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Itinerary
Trip Details
Price
- Adult (13+): MYR7,546.00
- Children (3-12): MYR 6037.00
- Young Children (0-2): MYR 3,773.00
- Single Supplement (non-sharing room) : MYR1,258.00
Departure Time
To be arranged upon booking as it depends on your arrival flight time
Meeting Point
Kuching Airport
Availability
2023
- February 5th – February 17th
- February 19th – March 3rd
- March 5th – March 17th
- March 19th – March 31st
- April 2nd – April 14th
- April 16th – April 28th
- May 7th – May 19th
- May 21st – June 2nd
- June 4th – June 16th
- June 18th – June 30th
- July 2nd – July 14th
- July 16th – July 28th
- August 6th – August 18th
- August 20th – September 1st
- September 3rd – September 15th
- September 17th – October 1st
- October 1st – October 13th
- October 15th – October 27th
- November 5th – November 17th
- November 19th – December 1st
- December 3rd – December 15th
Contact us if the planned dates don’t fit your schedule and you would like to customize your tour to an alternative date.
Duration
13 days, 12 nights
Group Size
2 to 8 persons
Included
- Transportation & English-speaking driver/guide
- Meals are provided as stated in the itinerary
- Twin sharing room:
- 4 nights @ Kuching Imperial Riverbank 3-star hotel or similar
- 2 nights @ Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
- 1 night @ Miri Imperial Palace Hotel, 4 stars or similar
- 1 night @ Labuan’s Labuan Point Hotel, 3 stars or similar
- 2 nights @ Tempurung Golden Beach Resort, 1 star, or similar
- 2 nights @ Kota Kinabalu Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars, or similar
- Domestic flight from Kuching to Miri (Airasia AK 6180), with 25 kg luggage
- 1 international and 1 domestic boat crossing
- Tour excursions:
- Bako National Park
- Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary
- 3-day Batang Ai Longhouse Excursion
- Niah Cave National Park
- Miri City night tour
- Brunei day tour
- Labuan half-day tour
- Pulau Tiga Island trip
- Klias River firefly cruise
- Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs (canopy walk and hot springs)
Not Included
- International flight connection to Borneo (ie. Kuching and from Kota Kinabalu)
- Juices and alcoholic beverages
- Tourism tax MYR 10.00 per bed/room is applicable for foreigners or non-Malaysians, payable upon check-in
- Tip/gratuity is at your discretion
- Camera & video fees at certain site visits
- Medical & travel insurance
- Hotel accommodation after the tour ends
- Any other items not in the tour itinerary
What to Bring
- Multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts, hat/cap, swimming costumes, sandals, and extra walking shoes
- Personal care: small towel, toiletries, personal medication, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent
- Camera and chargers, dry bag, torch/flashlight, and sunglasses
- On day trips, bring snacks and extra mineral water
- Passport with 6 months validity and spare pages (additional immigration check at Sarawak’s entry points) and travel insurance details
About Your Guide
- At different locations on this long trip, we use a combination of local guides, park guides, and community guides. All will share their knowledge of local culture and the remarkable diversity of local fauna and flora
- One passionate, local, English-speaking guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests
Good to Know
- Suitable for families and visitors of all ages
- Reservation required 3 days in advance
- We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
- During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
- Check out Our Responsible Tourism Commitment Responsible Travel | Paradesa Borneo
- Please do not take pieces of coral or other endangered plant life home as a souvenir.
What You'll Do
Your transfer awaits you at the arrival at the airport and brings you to your first hotel in Borneo. The first day will be spent in Kuching, the “City of Cat”. Relax at the waterfront before enjoying a good night’s rest. The next day you’re completely free, so you can explore the historical quarters of Kuching at your own leisure and discover its unique and multi-cultural influences. Visit some of the best museums in Borneo and try some delicious Sarawak street food. Or alternatively, you can try out our optional, guided bike tour to explore the city on two wheels, which includes local food and drinks.
On the third day, visit one of the oldest national parks in Borneo, Bako National Park. Bako offers the perfect introduction to Borneo’s forests and wildlife. It’s the perfect place to spend the day in search of proboscis monkeys, wild boar, exotic birds, and snakes. We then embark on an adventure with easy trekking through the rainforest and this journey involves a 20-minute boat cruise to the Bako Peninsula from the fishing village of Kampong Bako. Lunch at the park canteen is included.
Meals: Breakfast on days 2 and 3, lunch on day 3
Accommodation: Kuching Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Today, we head into the remote Borneo interior on a journey to discover the headhunter’s of Borneo, the Iban tribe.
But before we leave Kuching, we have an early appointment with “wild-man of the jungle”, the orangutan, at the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary. This center is where the orangutans are rescued from captivity and kept for surveillance and rehabilitation. Visit them as feeding time approaches, the orangutans emerge from the rainforest, descending from the forest canopy to the lower branches of trees near the feeding platform.
After the orangutans, we continue our 5-hour journey to Batang Ai, passing paddy fields, pepper plantations, farms, roadside kampungs, and tropical jungles. Stop at the small town of Serian to visit the market and later for lunch at Lachau. On arrival at the Batang Ai Dam, board a native boat for the upriver journey to an Iban Longhouse. Long ago, the Ibans were feared for their headhunting activities. Visiting the descendants of the feared warriors in one of the last remaining remote authentic Iban longhouses is quite the cultural experience.
In the evening, enjoy a native dinner prepared by your guide with rounds of ‘tuak’, the host’s homemade rice wine. Stay overnight in the longhouse. The next day, after breakfast, take a walk to visit the native’s farms and an Iban burial ground. Enjoy lunch the traditional way, with food cooked on bamboo or in a stone barbecue pit. Bring your swimwear as there may be opportunities to swim in the river. If there has been no rain in the days prior to your visit, the waters will be clear and refreshingly cool. Later, return to the longhouse to enjoy your surroundings. On the last day of our exploration of Borneo’s interior, we bid farewell to our longhouse hosts. We will then return to the river jetty for your journey back to Kuching. Lunch is at a local cafe on the journey home before the drop off at your city hotel.
Meals: Breakfast (days 4, 5, 6), lunch (days 4, 5, 6), and dinner (days 5 & 6)
Accommodation:
- Days 4 and 5: Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
- Day 6: Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Transfer to Kuching airport for an early morning flight to Miri. After a transfer from Miri airport, we head straight to Niah National Park. This park is host to where the oldest modern human remains in South East Asia were found, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Yet there is much more to Niah than archaeology. A vast cave swarming with bats and swiftlets; the thriving local economy based on birds-nests and guano; ancient cave paintings, a majestic rainforest crisscrossed with walking trails, and abundant plant and animal life. All this and more make up the geological, historical, and environmental kaleidoscope that is Niah. The total journey will normally take 3-4 hours to complete. We then head to the town of Niah for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we drive into the city of Miri to check-in and rest before proceeding to a 3-hour evening tour of Miri City, featuring Marina Bay (Seahorse Lighthouse), Canada Hill, the night market (only Thu-Sat), and award-winning Miri City Fan Park. Dinner is at the guest’s own expense during the tour.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Flight: Kuching to Miri (AK 6180 07:35 (KCH) – 08:40 (MYY))
Accommodation: Miri Imperial Palace Hotel, 4 stars or similar
Today, we head across the international border to Brunei by land for a day tour before another boat crossing further north to re-enter Malaysia’s island territory of Labuan.
Brunei is one of the richest countries in the world thanks to its petroleum income and its head of state, the Sultan of Brunei, is among the richest men in the world. We visit Kuala Belait and Seria where Brunei’s oil and gas industry is centered, before heading into Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Along the way, we drive past Jerudong Park, the Brunei Sultan’s polo ground, and the Empire Hotel, a local 6-star hotel.
The skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan is dominated by the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, one of the most magnificent mosques in Southeast Asia. A replica of a 16th-century royal barge is moored in an adjoining lagoon. We continue with visits to the Brunei National Museum and The Royal Regalia Center which houses a collection of Royal Regalia including the Royal Chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armory, jewel-encrusted crowns, and other pieces of interest. We then make a quick photo stop at Kampong Ayer (Water Village) before a lunch break at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we take a 1-hour boat cruise crossing into Malaysia again to the island of Labuan, a tax-free haven off the coast of Borneo. After a quick transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore the small island city and visit a duty-free shop where you can purchase cheap beers and chocolates. Dinner is at your own leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Boat: Brunei to Labuan at 4:40 PM (1 hour)
Accommodation: Labuan Point Hotel, 3 stars or similar
After breakfast, we begin a historical tour of Labuan that features Japanese soldiers surrendering to the Allied forces during World War Two. The tour starts by visiting the Labuan Museum, then Peace Park, the War Monument, the Commonwealth Memorial Park, and the Chimney (Coal Museum). After an early lunch at a local restaurant, at the guest’s own expense, we then proceed to the jetty for a 20-minute, domestic cross-state boat journey to Menumbok in Sabah State.
Take a transfer using the quiet backroads to the Tempurung Golden Beach Resort, a family-run resort nestled in a peaceful stretch of unspoiled beach near Kuala Penyu (Turtle Estuary). In the evening, proceed to the firefly boat trip amid the mangroves of the Klias River, with high chances of spotting proboscis monkey and long-tail macaque. A traditional fish dinner will be served at a restaurant near the jetty while you wait for the fireflies to emerge from the night sky. Stay overnight in the simple, but peaceful, beach chalet at Tempurung Golden Beach Resort.
The next morning, we visit Pulau Tiga Park (Survivor Island), made famous thanks to the highly successful reality TV series, “Survivor”. After a short drive to Kuala Penyu Town jetty, we take a 30-minute boat ride to reach the island. This untouched piece of nature’s playground is beautiful with its landscape and bountiful marine life. One can simply jump off the boat and spend time swimming or snorkeling in its clear turquoise waters. After swimming or snorkeling sessions, transfer to the main island of Pulau Tiga Park. Light refreshments (sandwich & water) will be served on the island. The next activity is jungle trekking to the mud volcano, where you can enjoy a mud bath. At around noon, we take a boat transfer back to Kuala Penyu jetty and head back to Tempurung Golden Beach Resort for a late lunch. The rest of the day is free for you to fully relax and explore the deserted beaches. A seafood steamboat dinner is served at the beach patio of the resort just after your sunset beach walk.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both days
Boat: Labuan to Menumbok at 13:00 PM (20 minutes)
Accommodation: Tempurung Golden Beach Resort, 1 star or similar
After breakfast, we make a 3-hour journey into Kota Kinabalu, the vibrant capital city of Sabah State. The rest of the day in Kota Kinabalu is free time for you to do your final souvenir shopping or explore at leisure Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront.
The next day, we head inland to discover the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. After breakfast, we take a 2-hour drive to Kinabalu Park, passing villages and paddy fields along the mountainous road. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding valleys. We make a stop at Nabalu Market to shop for local natives products, homegrown vegetables, and handmade crafts.
We then proceed to Kinabalu Park for a walk through its botanic garden, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crowned for its outstanding universal values and Malaysia’s most important biological sites. After our walk through the park, depart for lunch in a local restaurant near Poring Hot Springs, named after the tall bamboo plant that is abundant in the area. At these natural hot springs, you can soak in Japanese baths, filled with invigorating sulfur water that is believed to have curative powers and medicinal value. After the rejuvenation, trek for 20 minutes to the Canopy Walkway where bridges are suspended 41 meters above the tropical jungle. Return to Kota Kinabalu on an approximately 3-hour journey and we will drop you off at your city hotel.
On the day of the departure, hotel checkout time is before 12 noon and transfer to the airport is 3 hours before your flight’s departure. The tour ends and you return home!
Meals: Breakfast (days 11, 12, & 13) and lunch on day 12
Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars or similar
Good To Know
- We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
- During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
- Check out OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT.(opens in a new tab)
- Please do not take pieces of coral or other endangered plant life home as a souvenir.
See What Our Guests Are Saying
The most memorable part was arranged by Jerry Tao to attend the Remembrance Day celebrations on Labuan Island – an unexpected addition and very much appreciated. Some of the other highlights were visiting Bako National Park (seeing proboscis monkeys and wild boar plus the rock formations); the Orangutan Sanctuary and seeing a female and her baby; visiting the Niah Caves; the visit to Brunei and the visit with Jack Koh to Kinabalu Park. Learning the history & cultures of the areas we visited was a special treat.